Hair Straightening With Vapors

ABSTRACT

A system for straightening hair using hair straightening formulation solution vapors, comprising: a hair straightening iron connected to an electricity source, said hair straightening iron comprising a pair of pressing members each having a heating block on its inner surface, the pressing members joined by a hinge, the heating blocks comprising holes connected to vapor conducting tunnels accommodated inside each one of the pressing members; a vapor conducting pipe connected to the tail end of the iron, said vapor conducting pipe opens to the vapor conducting tunnels; and a vaporizer connected to said vapor conducting pipe on its other end, said vaporizer comprising a heating element connected to a source of electricity and a container configured to be heated by said heating element.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of hair treatment and moreparticularly to a steam operated hair straightening.

BACKGROUND

Hair straightening is a hair styling technique which involves theflattening and straightening of hair in order to give it a smooth,streamlined, and ‘sleek’ appearance. It may be accomplished using a hairiron or hot comb, chemical relaxers, Japanese hair straightening, orBrazilian hair straightening. In addition, some shampoos, andconditioners and hair gels can help to make hair temporarily straight.

Hair irons and hot combs can only temporarily modify hair texture,whereas relaxers and the other methods permanently alter the structureof the hair, although new hair growth is not affected.

The Brazilian Keratin Treatment is a long-term blow dry for hair thatlasts about three months. Pioneered in Brazil, the Brazilian KeratinTreatment is said to be able to be performed on all types of chemicallytreated hair (bleached, hi-lights, colored, permed, relaxed orpreviously straightened). It is used on frizzy, damaged, unhealthy, dulland mistreated hair.

Brazilian Keratin Treatment (also called escova progressiva, keratinstraightening or BKT) is a method of temporarily straightening hair bysealing the hair with a liquid keratin and Formaldehyde solution with aflat iron. The process involves applying the formula to the head,waiting a prescribed time for the formula to be absorbed and thensealing the hair with a flat iron.

While keratin is indeed an ingredient in the formulas used to performBrazilian Hair Straightening, the true active ingredient isFormaldehyde. Formaldehyde is known to be an aggressive carcinogen, andits fumes are extremely dangerous. Heat and moderate humidity levelsaccelerate the noxious effects of the chemical.

Some of the known effects of Formaldehyde are:

Some people are naturally highly sensitive to Formaldehyde, others maynot be as sensitive but over time develop an allergy to it. It's in thechemical's make up to stir the immune system and cause sensitivity.

Runny nose, sore throat, headache, itching, and irritated eyes can occurwith low levels of exposure.

It is also a known carcinogen, and smokers in particular are at agreater risk for cancers of the airways, including nasal passages whenthey are exposed to Formaldehyde.

It would be advantageous to shorten the exposure period to Formaldehydein the process of hair straightening.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided asystem for straightening hair using hair straightening formulationsolution vapors, comprising: a hair straightening iron connected to anelectricity source, said hair straightening iron comprising a pair ofpressing members each having a heating block on its inner surface, thepressing members joined by a hinge, the heating blocks comprising holesconnected to vapor conducting tunnels accommodated inside each one ofthe pressing members; a vapor conducting pipe connected to the tail endof the iron, said vapor conducting pipe opens to the vapor conductingtunnels; and a vaporizer connected to said vapor conducting pipe on itsother end, said vaporizer comprising a heating element connected to asource of electricity and a container configured to be heated by saidheating element.

The system may further comprise at least one light source adapted toproduce heat.

The at least one light source may be mounted in at least one of saidpressing members.

The at least one light source may be external to said pressing members.

The system may further comprise cooling means adapted to cool said atleast one light source.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided amethod of straightening hair using hair straightening formulationsolution vapors, comprising: providing a solution of hair straighteningformulation; heating said solution to a boiling temperature; conductingvapors discharged from said boiling solution to a hair straighteningiron comprising holes; and pressing the hair with said hairstraightening iron, whereby said vapors are applied to the hair.

The method may further comprise using at least one light source toproduce additional heat.

The at least one light source may be mounted in said hair straighteningiron.

The at least one light source may be external to said hair straighteningiron.

The method may further comprise cooling said at least one light source.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided asystem for straightening hair using hair straightening formulationsolution vapors, comprising: a hair straightening iron connected to anelectricity source, said hair straightening iron comprising a pair ofpressing members each having a heating block on its inner surface, thepressing members joined by a hinge, the heating blocks comprising afirst set of holes connected to vapor conducting tunnels accommodatedinside each one of the pressing members and a second set of holesconnected to vapor removing tunnels accommodated inside each one of thepressing members; a vapor conducting pipe connected to the tail end ofthe iron, said vapor conducting pipe opens to the vapor conductingtunnels; a vaporizer connected to said vapor conducting pipe on itsother end, said vaporizer comprising a heating element connected to asource of electricity and a container configured to be heated by saidheating element; a vapor removing pipe connected to the tail end of theiron; and a filtering device connected to the other end of said vaporremoving pipe, said filtering device comprising a suction motor and atoxic fumes filter.

The system may additionally comprise a vapor collecting hood mountedover a user's head, said hood connected to said filtering device.

The system may further comprise at least one light source adapted toproduce heat.

The at least one light source may be mounted in at least one of saidpressing members.

The at least one light source may be external to said pressing members.

The system may further comprise cooling means adapted to cool said atleast one light source.

According to another espect of the present invention there is provided amethod of straightening hair using hair straightening formulationsolution vapors, comprising: providing a solution of hair straighteningformulation; heating said solution to a boiling temperature; conductingvapors discharged from said boiling solution to a hair straighteningiron comprising first holes and second holes; pressing the hair withsaid hair straightening iron, whereby said vapors are applied to thehair through said first holes; and applying suction to said iron throughsaid second holes, whereby toxic fumes are discarded.

The method may further comprise using at least one light source toproduce additional heat.

The at least one light source may be mounted in said hair straighteningiron.

The at least one light source may be external to said hair straighteningiron.

The method may further comprise cooling said at least one light source

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same maybe carried into effect, reference will now be made, purely by way ofexample, to the accompanying drawings.

With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressedthat the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes ofillustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the presentinvention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what isbelieved to be the most useful and readily understood description of theprinciples and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard, noattempt is made to show structural details of the invention in moredetail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of theinvention, the description taken with the drawings making apparent tothose skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may beembodied in practice. In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a prior-art hair straighteningiron;

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a hair straightening system accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the hair straightening ironaccording to the embodiment of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of a hair straightening system accordingto another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of the hair straightening ironaccording to the embodiment of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of a hair straightening system accordingto yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a table showing various proportions of Formaldehyde and waterfor obtaining a required concentration of Formalin in a solution to beevaporated;

FIG. 8 is simplified pictorial illustration of the straightening ironconstructed and operative in accordance with another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 9 is a respective sectional illustration of the embodiment of FIG.8;

FIG. 10 is simplified pictorial illustration of the straightening ironconstructed and operative in accordance with another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 11 is a respective sectional illustration of the embodiment of FIG.10; and

FIG. 12 is simplified pictorial illustration of the straightening ironconstructed and operative in accordance with another embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are setforth regarding the system and method and the environment in which thesystem and method may operate, etc., in order to provide a thoroughunderstanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, toone skilled in the art that the present invention may be practicedwithout such specific details. In other instances, well-knowncomponents, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail toavoid unnecessarily obscuring the subject matter of the presentinvention. Moreover, various examples are provided to explain theoperation of the present invention. It should be understood that theseexamples are exemplary. It is contemplated that there are other methodsand systems that are within the scope of the present invention. Also,the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and in thedescription to refer to the same elements to simplify the description.

The system of the present invention attempts to overcome the problem ofexposure to toxic substances during chemical hair treatment, by reducingthe exposure of the hairdresser and the user's hair and skin toFormaldehyde, both in quantity and in duration of time.

The system is described with reference to Formaldehyde formulation beingspread on the hair and Formaldehyde fumes being discharged into the airduring Brazilian Keratin Treatments, but is suitable for any existing orfuture chemical hair treatment requiring treatment of hair with toxicproducts.

The system, products and method of the present invention provide a newway of performing hair straightening, by exposing the hair to vaporizedproducts instead of applying a liquid/creme/gelatin formula to the hairand letting it be absorbed.

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a prior-art hair straighteningiron, generally denoted 100. The hair straightening iron 100 comprises apair of pressing members (110, 120) each having a heating block (150,160 respectively), the surface of which acts as a holding surface forhair to be straightened. The pressing members (110, 120) are joined by ahinge 170 for free opening and closing. An electric cord 180 connectsthe hair iron 100 to a source of electricity (not shown).

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a hair straightening system accordingto an embodiment of the present invention.

The hair straightening system includes a hair straightening iron 200comprising a pair of pressing members (210, 215) each having a heatingblock (225, 235 respectively) on its inner surface, which acts as aholding surface for hair to be straightened while ironing. The pressingmembers (210, 215) are joined by a hinge 270 for free opening andclosing. An electric cord 280 connects the hair straightening iron 200to a source of electricity (not shown).

The heating blocks comprise holes 220 (only bottom surface holes shown),connected to vapor conducting tunnels (245, 265) accommodated insideeach one of the pressing members (only upper tunnel 245 shown in dottedlines).

A vapor conducting pipe 400 is connected to the tail end 255 of theiron, which opens to the vapor conducting tunnels.

Vapor conducting pipe 400 is connected on its other end with a vaporizer480, which comprises a heating element 430 connected to a source ofelectricity (not shown) by electric cord 440 and a container 410.

In operation, container 410 is filled with a Formaldehyde solution 420in a required concentration (see FIG. 6), which is heated by heatingelement 430 to the solution's boiling temperature, whereby vapors 450are discharged into pipe 400, through vapor tunnels 245 and emerge viaholes 220 onto the hair being ironed, thus performing the straighteningfunction.

FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the hair straightening iron 200according to the present invention, showing vapor tunnels 245, 265 andvapors 310, 320 flowing from the tunnels

FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of a hair straightening system accordingto another embodiment of the present invention.

The hair straightening system includes a hair straightening iron 500comprising a pair of pressing members (510, 515) each having a heatingblock (535, 545 respectively), which acts as a holding surface for hairto be straightened. The pressing members (510, 515) are joined by ahinge 570 for free opening and closing. An electric cord 580 connectsthe hair straightening iron 500 to a source of electricity (not shown).

The heating blocks comprise holes 520 (only bottom surface holes shown),connected to vapor conducting tunnels (540, 542) accommodated insideeach one of the pressing members (only upper tunnel 540 shown in dottedlines).

A vapor conducting pipe 600 is connected to the tail end 585 of theiron, which opens to the vapor conducting tunnels.

Vapor conducting pipe 600 is connected on its other end with a vaporizer680, similar to the vaporizer 480 of the embodiment of FIG. 2, whichcomprises a heating element 630 connected to a source of electricity(not shown) by electric cord 640 and a container 610.

The heating blocks comprise additional holes 530 (only bottom surfaceholes shown), connected to a set of vapor removing tunnels (550, 552)accommodated inside each one of the pressing members (only upper tunnel550 shown in dotted lines).

A vapor removing pipe 660 is connected to the tail end 585 of the iron,which opens to the vapor removing tunnels.

Vapor removing pipe 660 is connected on its other end with a filteringdevice 670. Filtering device 670 comprises a suction motor (not shown),as known in the art of vacuum cleaners and a filter 685. Filter 685 is afilter especially designed to filter Formaldehyde fumes, such as AC4142,provided by Philips, or Formaldehyde Filter, provided by AirfiltronixCorp. of Clifton, N.J. An outlet 690 discharges clean filtered air fromthe filtering device 670 back into the atmosphere.

In operation, container 610 is filled with a Formaldehyde solution 620in a required concentration (see FIG. 6), which is heated by heatingelement 630 to the solution's boiling temperature, whereby vapors 650are discharged into pipe 600, through vapor conducting tunnels (540,542) and emerge via holes 520 onto the hair being ironed.

Toxic fumes are sucked back through vapor removing tunnels (550, 552)into vapor removing pipe 660 and into filtering device 670.

FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of the hair straightening iron 500according to the present invention, showing vapor conducting tunnels(530, 540) and vapors (516, 520) flowing from the tunnels. FIG. 5additionally shows vapor removing tunnels (550, 552) and vapors (562,564) flowing into the tunnels.

FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of a hair straightening system accordingto yet another embodiment of the present invention.

The system of FIG. 6 incorporates the system of FIG. 4 and additionalvapor suction means comprising a vapor collecting hood 700, such asknown in the art of kitchen vapor collectors, which may be mounted overthe treated client's chair 720, to provide additional fumes suction.Vapor collecting hood 700 is connected to a flexible pipe 710 whichconnects it to the filtering device 670 or to a different filteringdevice. The vapor collecting hood 700 may be mounted on the wall, on theceiling, or on the client's chair.

FIG. 7 is a table showing various exemplary proportions of Formaldehydeand water for obtaining 20 a required concentration of Formalin in 20 mlof solution to be evaporated.

During the BKT procedure heat is required to vaporize the Formaldehydesolution but also to heat up the hair and thereby accelerate and enhancethe absorption of the chemical into the hair. Also, flattening is moreefficient when hair is at elevated temperature. Conventionally heat isapplied to the hair by hot air and by means of contact to the hotsurfaces of the flattening iron.

In certain embodiments of the present invention the hair is heated bymeans of radiation of visible or invisible light from light sources.

Melanin found in hair shaft is an efficient light absorbent in a widerange of wavelengths, spanning the ultraviolet, the visible light andthe near infrared (IR). When light is absorbed by the hair, heat isgenerated which then diffuses to other parts of the hair. Thisabsorption of light by melanin was exploited for the purpose of bodilyhair removal where hair follicle is damaged by the heating effect of theabsorbed light, known as photothermolysis. While the action of lightsources in hair removal application is to provide sufficient power andenergy dose for photothermolysis, these light sources are well suited toprovide non-damaging heat to hair depending on the mode of operation,notably and most readily by driving these light sources at powers belowthe damage threshold. In fact, it is often more challenging to operatethe light sources at conditions necessary for photothermolysis thanthese required to elevate the temperature. For example, the fluence(energy per unit area) emitted from light emitting diodes (LED) may beinsufficient to induce photothermolysis, yet can be used for the purposeof heating. Secondly, when light is applied to the skin it can beabsorbed by other chromophores, particularly water and oxyhemoglobin.Therefore, in hair removal one is limited to a narrow range ofwavelengths of approximately 700 to 1000 nanometer (nm) where the lightis selectively absorbed by melanin, that is, at a wavelength range wherelight is primarily absorbed by melanin and less so by water oroxyhemoglobin. Nevertheless, high power light sources emitting at 700 nmto 1000 nm are readily available, particularly laser diodes (LD).

Reference is made now to FIG. 8 which is a simplified pictorialillustration of the straightening iron constructed and operative inaccordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention, and toFIG. 9 which is a respective sectional illustration of the invention. Asseen in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 the straightening iron 800 comprisestransparent windows 801 for passing the light 902 from a light sources903 located behind the windows (shown in sectional illustration FIG. 9).

The light sources used are any light sources that emit at the wavelengthabsorbed by melanin. Melanin has a broad absorption spectrum, withhigher absorption in the ultraviolet (UV), however because of healthhazards consideration, it may be preferable to operate at visible lightor near IR range. High power LED arrays are one such sort of lightsources. The LED arrays are further provided with optical assembly 904to guide the light through the exit window. In available commercial LEDilluminators optical components such as lenses, reflectors, orcollimators are used.

In another arrangement the light sources can be laser diodes (LD) as asingle emitters or stacked arrays such as for example available fromDILAS http://www.dilas.com/pages/products.php?category=16&series=7.

As in most light sources, most of the electrical energy is converted toheat. Typically for LEDs the watt-to-watt efficiency, namely power ofemitted light vs electrical power input, ranges from 40% for red lightto 15% for green light. To operate the light source at high efficiencyand prevent source damage heat needs to be removed. The process of heatdissipation from the light source can be viewed as accomplished in twosteps: The first involves the transport of thermal energy away from thesource to an external heat sink that absorbs the intense thermal energy.In the second stage the heat is dissipated into the surroundingenvironment. This is primary accomplished by either natural or forcedair convection. Forced air convection typically involves an electric fanresponsible for cooling the heat sink. In another preferred embodimentof the invention shown in FIG. 10 and respective sectional illustrationFIG. 11, the straightening iron 1000 is provided with at least oneelectrical fan 1008 (two shown) that forces air flow around the lightsource 1103. The resulted heated air 1105 is further conveyed throughair conducting channels (not shown) and forced through ventilationopenings 1006 located at the blades 1010 of the straightening iron.

One effective method for guiding a light from a light source is byoptical fiber. In accordance with yet another embodiment of theinvention shown in FIG. 12 the light sources 1303 are located in aseparate module 1305 wherein the light 1301 emitted from the lightsources 1303 is guided through the windows 1302 located within theblades 1310 of the straightening iron 1300, by means of optical fibers1304. In such arrangement the advantage is that the light sources arenot limited to space within the straightening iron, and hence theprovided light power can be considerably higher, and more efficientcooling of the light sources. In accordance with previously describedembodiment, if the light sources are cooled by forced air produced by anelectrical fan, the resulting hot air can be further utilized forheating the hair. The fan 1307 in FIG. 13 forces the air 1308 around thelight sources 1303 and through a flexible hose 1308 towards theventilation holes 1311 located within the straightening iron.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the presentinvention is not limited to what has been particularly shown anddescribed hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention isdefined by the appended claims and includes both combinations andsub-combinations of the various features described hereinabove as wellas variations and modifications thereof which would occur to personsskilled in the art upon reading the foregoing description.

For example, pipes 400 and 600, and possibly optical fiber 1304 may bepacked in one tube and/or vaporizer 680 and filtering device 670 may beassembled in a single casing.

1. (canceled)
 2. (canceled)
 3. (canceled)
 4. (canceled)
 5. (canceled) 6.A method of straightening hair using hair straightening formulationsolution vapors, comprising: providing a solution of hair straighteningformulation; heating said solution to a boiling temperature; conductingvapors discharged from said boiling solution to a hair straighteningiron comprising holes; and pressing the hair with said hairstraightening iron, whereby said vapors are applied to the hair.
 7. Themethod of claim 6, further comprising using at least one light source toproduce additional heat.
 8. The method of claim 7, wherein said at leastone light source is mounted in said hair straightening iron.
 9. Themethod of claim 7, wherein said at least one light source is external tosaid hair straightening iron.
 10. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising cooling said at least one light source.
 11. (canceled) 12.(canceled)
 13. (canceled)
 14. (canceled)
 15. (canceled)
 16. (canceled)17. A method of straightening hair using hair straightening formulationsolution vapors, comprising: providing a solution of hair straighteningformulation; heating said solution to a boiling temperature; conductingvapors discharged from said boiling solution to a hair straighteningiron comprising first holes and second holes; pressing the hair withsaid hair straightening iron, whereby said vapors are applied to thehair through said first holes; and applying suction to said iron throughsaid second holes, whereby toxic fumes are discarded.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, further comprising using at least one light source to produceadditional heat.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein said at least onelight source is mounted in said hair straightening iron.
 20. The methodof claim 18, wherein said at least one light source is external to saidhair straightening iron.
 21. The method of claim 18, further comprisingcooling said at least one light source